A method and system for achieving a gas-liquid mass transfer includes delivering into a compartment of a container a liquid, the liquid having an exposed top surface disposed within the compartment. A stream of a gas is passed over the top surface of the liquid so that the stream of gas produces turbulence on the top surface that is sufficient to achieve the gas-liquid mass transfer. In one embodiment the liquid is a culture that includes cells or microorganisms and the mass transfer functions to oxygenate the culture sufficient to sustain the cells or microorganisms.